7449 East Osborn Road #4 Scottsdale, Arizona 85251
Mercury in Traditional Dental Fillings
For over a century, the most common material for dental fillings was silver amalgam, with more than 100 million Americans getting silver amalgam fillings. One would hope that something so common (and which is still used by 47 percent of dentists) would be completely safe. Unfortunately, these fillings contain about 50 percent mercury, and there is no known safe level of mercury exposure. Amalgam fillings have actually been banned in countries like Sweden, Norway, and Denmark because of their proven toxic effects.
Dentistry Minus The Mercury
If you have a silver filling, the simple act of chewing your food releases between 2 and 20 micrograms of mercury into your body per day — and it’s even higher for people who regularly chew gum, drink soda, or grind their teeth. Over time, this can cause problems like tremors, insomnia, headaches, nerve damage, respiratory failure, and kidney problems.
A great way to prevent these problems from developing or worsening is to get your silver fillings replaced with a safe material, but if the dentist doesn’t use the correct procedure, removing the fillings can cause even more mercury exposure. With dentists who are Mercury Safe and Mercury Free, you know you’re getting the highest standard of filling replacement, and you can trust that your new fillings will be 100 percent free of mercury.
Difference Between Mercury Safe And Mercury Free
These two terms are often used interchangeably, but they mean different things and understanding the distinction can help you make a more informed decision about your dental care:
- Mercury Free means that the dental practice does not use amalgam fillings at all. No new silver fillings are placed, and all restorations are completed using biocompatible, metal-free materials such as composite resin or porcelain.
- Mercury Safe refers to the specific protocols a practice follows when removing existing amalgam fillings. Even if a dentist no longer places silver fillings, improper removal can release a significant amount of mercury vapor — putting both the patient and the dental team at risk.
- A truly Mercury Safe and Mercury Free practice, like Dentistry of Old Town Scottsdale does both. We use safe, proven removal protocols to minimize mercury vapor exposure during amalgam removal, and we replace every filling with a material that is completely free of mercury and metal.
Get Mercury Safe And Mercury Free Filling Replacements At Dentistry of Old Town Scottsdale
Here at Dentistry of Old Town Scottsdale, we follow mercury safe dental procedures to remove and replace silver fillings safely, and we offer new fillings that you can feel confident in. If you want to learn more about mercury in dental fillings and why you might want to get your silver fillings replaced, just give us a call at 480-719-6994 or email us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "mercury-free dentistry" mean?
Mercury-free dentistry means a dental practice does not use amalgam fillings that contain mercury, instead offering safer alternatives like composite (tooth-colored) materials.What is “mercury-safe dentistry”?
Mercury-safe dentistry refers to practices that follow strict safety protocols when removing old amalgam fillings to minimize mercury exposure for patients and staff.Are mercury fillings still used in the United States?
Yes, dental amalgam is still approved in the U.S., but many dentists and patients prefer mercury-free options for aesthetic and health reasons.What are the alternatives to mercury fillings?
Common alternatives include composite resin, porcelain, and ceramic fillings that blend naturally with your teeth and do not contain mercury.Is it safe to remove old mercury fillings?
Yes, when performed by a trained dentist using proper mercury-safe techniques, removal can be done safely with minimal risk.